Lately

Did someone need a light switched on or off? This is his new favorite thing

Oh, and "drying" his hair

DISCLAIMER - I never intend to write a novel for a blog. However, every time I write, I do. I should apologize, but I am not really sorry. I know it will happen again. The only time I update is about every other week - and then I overload with pictures. A friend recently said she doesn't really have time at work to read the blog - she just looks at the pictures and skims. I don't blame you!

Taken this morning when I was taking too long to pick out something to wear/dry my hair. I came in and they were giggling almost to the point of screaming. Sure, because they had taken the shell of a tent apart (the long black stick in Turner's hand) and were BOTH swinging it around the room. Turner, I expect this from. But John Burke? Already? Their faces were in response to my simultaneous fussing and picture taking.

This week has not been my favorite week. However, when I have these 2 little crazies to look at, it ALWAYS makes me laugh. What a reminder of hope and joy they are. It sounds cheesy, but I realized that I am blessed to have worked in an elementary school and now around babies. Those are 2 very happy places to be, even in bad weeks!

I am officially crawling everywhere. I have been pulling myself like a slug across the floor - I don't really use my legs. Yesterday Mom put me down in the den, and I surprised her in her bedroom in about a minute and a half.

Wait for it...

Boo! Peek-a-boo is his favorite game right now. It cracks him up. And me. Because he laughs so hard. In the car the other day, he kept doing it with a blanket in his car seat to me in the front seat, and Turner next to him. I laughed, thinking at what a funny personality he already has, just shy of nine months! Also, I thought he had one tooth, but he has 2 (they informed me at school) and 4 on the way on top! This is especially exciting since Turner did not receive tooth one until 13 months!

Burke Burke with Nanny around Thanksgiving

Last week, my sweet grandmother Nanny went to the hospital. Lindsey was over there on Monday (MLK Day), and she called the paramedics because she thought Nanny was having a stroke. The paramedics agreed something major was going on. Long story short, she was moved from the ER to the ICU. They weren't sure she was going to make it. The doctors are still trying to figure out what is going on - stroke? infection? - they are "perplexed." So, please keep my sweet Nanny in your prayers. The good news is, she was just moved out of ICU to a step-down room. Not great, but better. She sat on the side of the bed today, and she has been talking a little. She called Lindsey by name, and could tell them her name (Elizabeth) and that she was called Libby. Huge things!

Turner and Nanny taking turns kissing

I haven't been able to see her this week because I had a nasty stomach bug on Tuesday. I thought I was dying. Seriously. I woke up at 4:30 a.m. and threw up, and then again at 6:30. When Heath hears the first hint of a gag, he is halfway down the street. So he moved to the couch, but then (praise God) took the boys to the church and arranged childcare all day long. Good thing, because I could not lift my head up! I made my way to the doctor around noon, and I am SURE that was a sight. I knew I was sick because I seriously considered laying on the floor of the doctor's office. I take it for granted that I rarely ever feel that sick. But, I wanted to get checked for the flu. Anyway, the doctor (who remembered me from years ago when I complained of an earache, but it was really Gordon's hair in my ear. He told me to stop letting my puppy sleep in my bed immediately) assured me it was either food poisoning or a 12 hour, very quick virus. Turns out that is what it was, and I was able to return to the land of the living Tuesday night and Wednesday. Today it is like it never happened. Hallelujah it has not spread!

Delois with her baby John

Also, last week John Burke's precious teacher and my friend, Delois, passed away. She went in the hospital at the same time as Nanny (a few rooms away), but ended up with a bacterial infection that overtook her body. I have been broken hearted. Just the thought of John Burke (her little Jun-Jun) sitting at her feet every day from when he was 10 weeks until now makes me so sad, but so appreciative that she was his second mom! She knew him as well as I did, and that really hit home since she has not been back at work!

Where he sat - right at her feet, until he could weasel her into picking him up and placing him on her very voluptuous chest, his favorite place to sleep.

She and I had a very funny relationship - she loved to tease me for being too loud around the babies, and supposedly breaking the clock in their room (which I did, but would never admit). A few weeks ago, I came in dressed in workout clothes (with no real intent to work out) and she said "Wow - you look sharp." Hmm. Sarcasm. One of the reasons I loved her. She was ALWAYS happy - always singing and laughing and teasing people and mostly, loving loving loving on babies. She told us all the time that she had done many jobs in her life, but none made her as happy as holding babies and spending her days with them.

I jokingly accused her of making him fat. She insisted he needed more food, and though we would argue, she ALWAYS found a way to slip him extra "powder" as she called it. I let her - she took care of him enough, how could I not?? Her daughter told us yesterday when we talked to her that she would refer to the babies by name at home. One example she used was "Baby John." I broke down - that was my baby!! That's what she called him! On Friday, when I took him into her classroom, he looked for her. It makes me cry just to type it, because he loved her in whatever capacity you can at that age!!

I had my first experience at an African-American funeral today as we celebrated her life. I loved it! A whole lot of praising the Lord and spreading the Holy Spirit. I needed that. We were able to focus on the fact that her body was buried, but that she was in a better place. My heart ached for her daughter - they had such a fabulous relationship and lived together. But, I know God will take care of her. It made me feel selfish for being so upset this past week - I have only known her a year and half, her daughter was so much closer. But we were able to tell her daughter what a blessing sweet Delois was to all of us, and it has made me realize what a unique generation hers was/is. Hard working, kind and generous!

All right, enough Debbie Downer. A bright spot in the weekend was going to Auburn for the Championship Celebration. We stayed with the Hendersons and were able to hang out and eat some of our favorites - Niffer's, Barbecue House and Amsterdam. Ahh! But, more importantly, the Celebration at the Stadium. I thought that the Celebration was gonna be kind of cheesy. However, it was really neat. The place was almost entirely full. CRAZY!

And even though we were lucky enough to see the real game in person in Arizona, this was so neat to be able to cheer and celebrate with other Auburn fans. If you are not an Auburn fan - this is probably not gonna mean anything to you. But, they focused more on the Auburn family than the football team, and I, of course, even teared up watching the highlight video.

Recognizing the team

Hard to see - score from the Auburn-Oregon game

Something about being a child and grandchild of Auburn graduates, and then one myself, meeting my husband there, being able to take our (sleepy) kids to the field Saturday to watch it instilled such a sense of pride in my Tigers. It was worth my toes being so frozen that I had to waddle to the car!

And Happy Birthday to our dear friend Evan!! We were lucky enough to celebrate with her in Auburn! We love you!!

Christmas Recap

Burke Burke had on Christmas pajamas all day today. And Turner preferred to nap with "No shirt!" Whatever. That is the kind of day we had - they have been flirting with fevers since Friday and the whining is out of control. But, I hope we are on an upswing. Anyway, I wanted to recap Christmas through pictures (and add some things they are doing lately - for posterity's sake). On January 18th. I am so on top of things...

Christmas Eve we went to the church service(s) at Covenant (Heath was working them) and then we went to eat at our dear friends the Moores' house

The boys were matching (not Turner and Heath - just Turner and John Burke) until John Burke messed his outfit up. Go figure.

Luckily Aunt Stacy let us borrow a Christmas outfit of Chloe's. Do you think he stretched it out? They are only about 7 or 8 pounds different in size.

This is for people who say John Burke looks just like Grandad..I don't think so.

Chloe and Kate were matching, too

Will had his friend Dave over. He was incredible on the piano and played every Christmas song we could think of. (He also provided entertainment when he said he was from Chicago and my dad thought he said China and proceeded to ask him when he was returning to China. Oh, Rollie.)

This was the scene that Santa left in our den.

It was his first Christmas! He loved it, of course!

Christmas morning we went to my parents' house for breakfast.

Nanny was there to watch us open presents. (Sidenote - please pray for her! She had a stroke yesterday and it was pretty severe. She is in Intensive Care and we are praying God's will for her recovery. We are not ready to lose her!!!)

Grandad got sleepy while we were opening gifts - too many people taking turns, I guess

We had to document the White Christmas!

Look at this little Snow Bunny

(Turner is watching me type this. I said, "Who is this?" He said, "Elmo." That is a compliment, Chloe. He loves Elmo.)

Then we headed to Granny's house in Andalusia for dinner

Eating ornaments with Cousin Ellie

Captain Fatterson ate 3 rolls for lunch and 3 for dinner. That is more than Turner has ever eaten in his lifetime!

Back at MeMe and Pap's, we opened our presents! This was Turner's. Can you tell he loved it? (Lately he has been saying "Oh Boy!" when he gets excited...like bath time or when he is allowed to ride his "actor." Also, he is liking to tell me "I don't want that" and "Stop, Mommy!" - like today when I was singing in the car)

We caught up with Granny Fran

And Ellie showed Turner how her new kitchen worked

Look what John Burke got! Thank you, Uncle Jay for helping Santa assemble it.

The next morning this guy ate a whole pancake by himself. I wonder how he is getting so big :)

Then Heath and his dad took Turner for a ride in Pap's Model A. He LOVED it, even though it felt like the arctic outside! Even in Andalusia!

We finished up the break with a visit with Lenley and her 3, my 2, Kate and Ellie and 2 of my most favorite twins on the planet! This picture about sums up the madness of that day...and the whole break. Being on the Mom side of Christmas is way more exhausting!! But it was a wonderful celebration of Christ's birth with precious friends and family!

Warrr Eagle!

I still want to blog about Christmas and our first trip to the McWane Center, but first I want to write about the fabulous weekend we just had!!

My mom and dad graciously (well, almost :)) kept my monkeys so Heath and I could go with his family to Arizona for the Auburn game. When we won the SEC championship, his parents gave us the good news that they would be taking us on the once-in-a-lifetime trip - without the kids!!

We left Saturday morning at 9. We got to the airport a little before 7. I thought we were too early, but it turns out it took us over an hour to check in and get through security. Birmingham was OVERTAKEN by Auburn fans!! Thousands in the airport. Not an exaggeration. Luckily we went through Total Sports Travel, so we had a charter flight and a super-organized trip the whole time!

At the airport. Mabry and I were twins!

Jay and Kate flew with us out of Birmingham, and Kelly and Jonathan flew with Frank and Melissa out of Montgomery. The flights were hilarious. 100 percent full of Auburn fanatics. We did the fight song and cheers and played Auburn music and did Auburn trivia the whole way there. No kidding. I haven't cheered so much for Auburn since my Camp War Eagle days! (Oh, and Super Cam was the seat right in front of us. Luckily, he mentioned "Super Cam needed some down time to rest up" on the flight. Thank God.)

One of my dear friends' parents were on our trip!

We stayed at the Doubletree in Scottsdale. It was about a mile from downtown Scottsdale - a nice walk for sure! We were able to eat at several restaurants down there, walk the biggest mall in the southwest and even watch the pep rally in Old Town Scottsdale.

The view as we walked out of our hotel

The overflow from the pep rally. Estimated 30,000 people there!

Heath and Wes walking back from downtown Scottsdale. They were earning their Scout merit badges and walking old ladies across the street. Seriously - they walked them!

The first night, we went to dinner with some of our favorite people - the Harlesses. Evan found us a fabulous restaurant that specialized in steak. So delicious. We laughed the whole time, and really enjoyed not cutting up food or giving anyone sippy cups or bottles!

Our hotel was so pretty - and so was the weather out there. I took it for granted, and was reminded the second we walked back into Birmingham. (Nasty ice storms here!) It was in the 60s and gorgeous and sunny every day. You didn't even need a jacket during the day. Ahhh - I wish I was still there! (Side note - the only thing I don't wish to recreate was a brief run-in with a moving vehicle while I was on foot. It was my fault. I was chasing my over-excited husband to tell him we couldn't walk because the light was green and I made it across 3 lanes of traffic. Too bad that 4th one got me! The car skidded to a halt, and I tried to push myself away?! on the front of the car. The impact sent me flying. I jumped up and screamed "I'm Okay!" and praise the Lord I was!! I was a little angry, though...just ask the Harlesses. I found them mad and crying, and eventually we laughed about it. UGHHHH! I meant to take a picture of my new white jacket covered in black pavement marks!! Heath is glad he got it cleaned at the hotel before I could do that:))

The second night we went to the Auburn "All In" party. It was in a hotel by the stadium in Glendale, about a 45 minute bus ride from Scottsdale. It was nice to see so many Auburn friends and family, but it was lame when we had to pay $35 a person to get in, and that included no food or beverages! And, they tried to sell us the last 7 tickets- there were 8 in our party and they wanted one of us to sit out. Did I mention we rode a bus there? Pretty sure we were all getting in!

There was an entertainment district next to the hotel, so we escaped and walked around there when we got bored at the "party."

Then it was the day of the big game!! We had a great breakfast (we did that every day!! Did I mention the trip was nice and relaxing??). Then, enough Auburn fans convinced our tour group to leave an hour and a half earlier than planned to get over to the game and tailgate.

We got there 4 or so hours before the game, and we were able to tailgate with thousands of Auburn fans (and some Ducks - we just didn't know them). It was fun running into people!! We ate at a field outside the game, and then walked around and even waited on a Tiger Walk that they ended up not having?! Hmm.

We headed towards the stadium about 2 hours before and had to stand in line for 45 minutes to an hour just to get in the gate. But, I was able to have 2 best friends standing with us, so it wasn't so bad! We did get a little claustrophobic, though!

Then, we were in the big stadium!! We were on the lower level in some FANTASTIC seats near the endzone. And, I was only 4 sections away from my sister. How crazy is that?? We were 2 sections away from Sportscenter. And we were able to watch Saban and Meyer watch the game. Crazy! Also, thanks to the drunk guy in front of us who pointed him out, we were able to see Donovan McNabb sitting behind us!

The stadium looked like a home Auburn game! Surrounded by Auburn fans, with only about 30 percent or so of the stadium for Oregon. It was amazing!! And, the end was out of control!! People were going crazy - and we were all relieved it didn't go into overtime!!

After the game, we watched the awards ceremony (awesome), and then made it back to our bus to get out of that extremely crazy parking lot. We celebrated the win by a sleepy bus ride back to Scottsdale. It was all worth it!!

Thank you to the Hendersons for this fabulous trip with lifelong memories, and to GiGi and Pop for taking care of these 2 monkeys. My mom said she enjoyed them, but they were exhausting. Well put, GiGi! Welcome to my life!! War Eagle again!!! National Champs!!

Don't worry - some of our intoxicated neighbors made sure there was some rolling going on, even if it couldn't be Toomer's. Hilarious.